WAIFEM strengthens capacity of member states in communication

The West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) has expanded its flagship training on report writing and presentation skills to meet growing demand from institutions across the subregion, stressing that effective communication is critical to governance and economic management.

At the opening of the 2025 regional course in Accra, WAIFEM’s Director General, Dr. Baba Yusuf Musa, said more than 90 applications were received from 31 institutions across The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Even after dividing the group into two sessions, each class had about 40 participants. The high level of interest, he said, has led management to run the course twice a year.

“This decision reflects not just popularity, but the recognition that effective communication is a cornerstone of effective governance and economic management,” Dr. Musa said.

He added that reports and presentations are not administrative exercises but tools of influence, accountability, and decision-making.

The training, delivered in collaboration with the Lagos Business School of English and Mathematics, is designed to be highly practical and interactive. Participants are taken through peer review, hands-on exercises, and simulations to strengthen skills that are directly applicable to their work.

According to Dr. Musa, technical knowledge in areas such as debt management or monetary policy has limited value if it cannot be communicated clearly and persuasively to policymakers and stakeholders.

The Bank of Ghana’s Director of Research, Dr. Philip Abradu-Otoo, speaking on behalf of Governor Johnson P. Asiama, reinforced this point. Drawing from nearly three decades of central bank experience, he said poorly written memos and unclear presentations often delay decisions at the bank. Management frequently sends such documents back to directors for clarification, dragging out the process.

“When a director sends a memo that is not clear, it is referred to top management, and decision-making drags,” Dr. Abradu-Otoo said. He noted that many staff presentations also fall short by relying heavily on reading from slides, rather than persuading and engaging their audience.

Dr. Abradu-Otoo framed the challenge around what he called the “CPI” principle — clarity, persuasiveness, and impact. He said too many reports and presentations lack these elements, reducing their usefulness to decision-makers. He urged participants to implement what they learn in the course to become more confident and effective communicators within their institutions.

WAIFEM has positioned communication training as a key part of its broader mandate in strengthening macroeconomic management, financial sector development, and public debt management in West Africa. Dr. Musa said the programme is an investment not only in the careers of participants but also in the institutional effectiveness of their organisations, and by extension, in the governance of their countries.

He encouraged participants to engage fully, share experiences, and apply lessons beyond the training hall. “The true test will be how you apply these skills in your offices, boardrooms, and conference halls,” Dr. Musa said.

The course runs from August 18 to 29 in two separate sessions.

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